Tape severing device



y 1949' c;: K. CHARLES 2,471,310

I TAPE SEVERING DEVICE Filed May 6, 1946 14 Georyelme A TTORNE 2 INVENTog Patented May 24, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE TAPE SEVERING DEVICE George Kenneth Charles, Wincanton, England Application May 6, 1946, Serial No. 667,541 In Great Britain May 22, 1945 3 Claims.

The invention relates to devices for severing adhesive tape in a machine for applying adhesive tape to cans and other containers for sealing purposes, for example, a machine such as described in Patent No. 2,401,461.

Hitherto the severance of the tape has been effected by a knife, but with some adhesive tape, especially one having a fabric base such as linen, the severance is not always clean.

The object of the invention is to ensure a clean severance.

In the severing device according to the invention, severance is effected by means of an element which is heated to incandescence.

The severing device is preferably provided with means for retaining the tape in contact with the severing element until the tape is severed.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a side elevation of part of a machine for applying adhesive tape to cans and like cylindrical containers similar to that described in Patent No. 2,401,461 with one form of severing device incorporating the present invention applied to the machine and shown in side elevation, only sufficient parts of the machine being indicated to illustrate the action of the severing device.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of the severing device;

Figure 3 is an edge view in elevation of the severing device, the supporting arm therefor being shown in cross-section taken On line 3-3 of Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the severing device.

The severing device illustrated in the drawings comprises a supporting bar I for an arm 2 which carries the severing element hereinafter described. The bar I has a slot 2i for the reception of a clamping screw II by which it can be clamped to a stationary part, for instance a part of the machine frame It], so that the arm 2 can be set in the required position, the arrangement permitting adjustment both as regards height and angle at which the arm 2 can be set.

The arm 2 is fulcrumed on a bolt 3 on the lower end of the bar I. A bracket l4 fixed to the bar I has two adjusting screws 4 and I5 which form stops for engagement with the adjacent end of the arm 2 to limit the pivotal movement of the arm. A spring 5 holds the arm 2 in its initial position against the stop 4.

The severing element consists of an electrical resistance wire 8, for example a wire composed of nickel chromium alloy of well-known type.

2 The wire 8 extends across the adjacent end of the arm 2 being clamped by bolts l8 to spring metal blades 6 and 1 which are bolted to the arm 2 but insulated therefrom.

Leads I9, 20, Figure 3, from a convenient electricity supply, preferably a low voltage supply, are connected to the plates 6 and I, so that the wire 8 is heated to incandescence. A needle 9, clamped by a screw I0, is inserted in the end of the arm 2 adjacent to the wire 8, preferably just above it and so that its point projects beyond the wire.

In the machine, partly shown in Figure 1, tape l2 is led over a guide roller 22 down a guide 23 which is pivoted at its upper end on a pin 24, the end of the tape projecting slightly below the lower end of the guide. The guide 23 holds the adhesive tape l2 with its adhesive surface opposed to the passage of the cans or containers 25 which are rolled along a track 26 by a conveyor belt 21. As a can 25 strikes the suspended tape l2 and rolls forward the tape is pressed on to it by rollers 28 and 29 movably held in its path, so that the tape is wound on and secured to the can as explained in the specification before referred to. When the can has travelled sufficiently to bring the tape [2 into contact with the needle 9 and the severing element or heated wire 8, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1, it is severed, the needle retaining it for a sufficient time to allow the severance to be effected.

During this operation the arm 2 is free to pivot about the bolt 3 as determined by the lower stop I 5 and when severance 'of the tape has been eiiected the spring 5 returns the arm 2 to its initial position, as determined by the upper stop 4 so that the needle 9 and severing element 8 are ready for the tape wound on the next can.

This form of severing device comprising a heated severing element is particularly advantageous in severing an adhesive tape having a fabric base such as linen as the severance is effected so as to leave a clean edge to the end of the tape.

I claim:

1. A tape severing device comprising a severing element consisting of an electrical resistance wire, a support for said wire, leads for supplying electric current to the wire for the purpose of rendering it incandescent, means for moving a tape to be severed into contact with said severing element, and a needle carried by said support adjacent said severing element and for engaging the tape to retain it in contact with said element until severed.

2. A tape severing device comprising a severing element consisting of an electrical resistance wire, a support for said element comprising a supporting bar having means for adjustably securing said bar to a fixed part of the machine, an arm pivotally mounted on said bar, said arm carrying said element at one end thereof, a spring for holding said arm in its normal position, means for moving a tape'tdbeneverediinto*cnntactwith said severing element, and a"-neefl1e-"carried by said supporting arm adjacent the element and for engaging with and retaining the tape in contact with the element until severed.

3. A tape severing device comprising asevering element consisting of anzelectri'calz resistance wire, a support for supporting'lsaid wire transverse the length of a tape, leads for-supplying 15 Number REFERENCES CI'ILED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Cameron Feb. 20, 1923 Maxfield Mar. 24, 1936 

